Taiaha - long staff, of early manufacture, with a finely carved head offering an elaborately swept-back forehead with raised circular recessed eyes. Strongly carved nose with upper lip offering dragon-tooth notching (niho taniwha), the tongue is beautifully executed and terminates with a pointed tip, the blade is finely balanced and completed with a broad, round formed end. Varied brown patina. Length 1250. Width 5.5 cm